heart-rate monitoring control system using photoplethysmography (

Heart-Rate Monitoring Control System Using Photoplethysmography (PPG)

by

Wesley Nguyen and Ryan Horjus

Senior Project

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

California Polytechnic State University

San Luis Obispo

2011

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Horjus, Nguyen

Contents Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................................... i

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose of Design ....................................................................................................................... 2

Commercial Potential .................................................................................................................. 2

Marketing Potential .................................................................................................................... 2

Background ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 6

User Heart Rate Signal................................................................................................................. 6

Comparison to Nominal Heart Rate ............................................................................................ 6

Frequency Setting........................................................................................................................ 7

Audible Output ............................................................................................................................ 7

Design............................................................................................................................................ 10

Research of LEDs and Photodiodes ........................................................................................... 10

Front End ................................................................................................................................... 12

Calculations............................................................................................................................ 14

Back-End .................................................................................................................................... 17

Closing The Loop ....................................................................................................................... 24

Test Plans and Construction ......................................................................................................... 25

Integration and Test Results ......................................................................................................... 30

Conclusion and Improvements ..................................................................................................... 39

Improvements ........................................................................................................................... 39

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 40

References..................................................................................................................................... 41


List of Tables and Figures

Figure Page

Figure 1: Pulse Oximetry Basic Components .................................................................................. 3

Figure 2: Blood Vessel System ........................................................................................................ 4

Figure 3: PPG Signal, Kirk Shelly, Yale Medical School .................................................................... 5

Figure 4: Block Diagram Closed Loop System ................................................................................. 9

Figure 5: LED Circuit ...................................................................................................................... 12

Figure 6: Suggested Circuit for Front End Photoplethysmograph ................................................ 12

Figure 7: Band-Limited High Resistance TIA Circuit ...................................................................... 14

Figure 8: High-Pass 1.5V Bias Circuit ............................................................................................. 15

Figure 9:High-Gain Band-Pass Amplifier Circuit ............................................................................ 16

Figure 10: Hysteretic Comparator Circuit ..................................................................................... 16

Figure 11: Back End Block Diagram ............................................................................................... 18

Figure 12: PLL CD74HC4046 Block Diagram [10] .......................................................................... 19

Figure 13: Phase Comparator PC2 Waveform for CDCD54HC4046 [10] ...................................... 20

Figure 14: Typical VCO Frequency [10] ......................................................................................... 21

Figure 15: Logic Diagram 4-bit Binary Counter [11] ..................................................................... 22

Figure 16: 555 Timer ..................................................................................................................... 23

Figure 17: High Gain BP Amplifier Spice Schematic ...................................................................... 25

Figure 18: High Gain BP Amplifier Frequency Response .............................................................. 26

Figure 19: Front End Construction ................................................................................................ 27

Figure 20: Perforated Board design of front end .......................................................................... 28


Figure 21: Back End Bread Board Construction ............................................................................ 29

Figure 22: PPG Transmission Method ........................................................................................... 31

Figure 23: Wes Nguyen - Transmission method ........................................................................... 31

Figure 24: Ryan Horjus - Transmission Method ............................................................................ 31

Figure 25: Prof. Prodanov - Transmission Method ....................................................................... 32

Figure 26: PPG Reflective Method ................................................................................................ 32

Figure 27: PPG Reflective Method 2 ............................................................................................. 33

Figure 28: PPG Signal and Comparator Output (60Hz) ................................................................. 34

Figure 29: PPG signal and Comparator Output (NO 60hz) ........................................................... 35

Figure 30: PPG and Comparator (no 60hz) ................................................................................... 35

Figure 31: Phase detector output with varying Comp in signal .................................................... 36

Figure 32: VCO and clock divider waveforms ............................................................................... 37

Table Page

Table 1: LED Parts .......................................................................................................................... 11

i


Acknowledgements

Ryan Horjus and Wesley Nguyen would like to thank the following people for

supporting them through their three-quarter project. Thanks to Vladimir Prodanov,

Ph. D., our senior project advisor who has mentored us through not only our senior

design, but in various courses supplemental to our Electrical Engineering coursework

here at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Thanks to the parents, Robert Horjus and Cheryl

Dulin, and Long and Tam Nguyen, who have financially supported their sons

throughout their four years during college. Thanks to Texas Instruments for their

support in funding for necessary project components. Finally, thanks to all of the

Electrical Engineering staff and peers at Cal Poly who have helped guide the path

towards a successful college career.

1


Introduction

The goal of this design is to develop at product that encourages safe

exercising via a control system developed to maintain the most optimal heart rate. A

target heart rate will allow the user to exercise at the most optimal intensity for his

or her body, preventing overexertion and under-working. Furthermore, the design

idea not only allows for a target constant heart rate, but also can include features

such as a heart-rate based interval training. The product will consist of a small clip

designed to measure heart rate from the ear, a controller containing the chips

necessary for the functioning device, and headphones where steady beats will

output from. Depending on the type of consumer using the device, the headphones

can output steady beats at specific frequencies. For example, the beats can follow a

runner's steps or a bicyclist's pedals necessary to target a certain heart rate.

The product will also be beneficial to cardiac patients and the military as it

can be programmed to the desired functions. Cardiac patients can rehabilitate

through a heart-rate based exercising recovery process while military training can be

done through the use of interval training. When used correctly, the device will result

in a highly safe environment for the physical body through controlling the heart rate.

Furthermore, additional functionalities can be added later on if desired such as

measuring blood oxygenation levels or the implementation of the device as an add-

on for machines at various health clubs.

2


Purpose of Design

The design for this product is geared to produce a device that can act as a

personal trainer. Without the constant checking of your own heart rate, the user is

able to focus entirely on running or pedaling according to the beats heard from your

headphones. With the device being less expensive than a trainer and more safe than

constantly monitoring yourself, this improved method of exercise shapes the future

of training and exercising.

Commercial Potential

The product will be highly potential to consumers due to the facts that it will

be the first product of its kind and it is focused towards people who want to

maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. The product itself is also fairly low tech and can

be produced in months as opposed to years, assuming concept and design have

been verified. A couple hundred pieces can be invested for a relatively small price

and a fast time to market can be achieved.

Marketing Potential

Health and Wellness: the product serves all sorts of exercise applications as it

ranges from helping cardiac patients to training military personnel. With the

customization of allowing the device to be an add-on to any system, it can be

introduced in various households, hospitals, fitness gyms, and training facilities.

3


Background

Initial design for the heart-rate monitoring system examined the concept of

pulse oximetry. Commonly used in hospital beds, pulse oximetry flashes both red

and infrared light through the finger and a photodetector measures the change of

absorbance of the two different wavelengths, approximately 650nm for red light and

940nm for infrared light. From these measurements, the difference between

oxygen-bound and oxygen-unbound blood hemoglobin allows for the measurement

of blood oxygenation. Similarly, heart-rate measurements are also taken through

pulse oximetry. A depiction of the led components and photodiode detector for

pulse oximeter devices is shown below in Figure 1. A simplified model for blood flow

operation is depicted in Figure 2. As the arterial blood radius changes and expands,

the light intensity measured decreases. [1]

Figure 1: Pulse Oximetry Basic Components

4


Figure 2: Blood Vessel System

After a comparison of oximetry research with the desired design

requirements, a less invasive approach was examined that proved to simplify the

design approach. Using the concept of photoplethmosgraphy (PPG), changes of

blood volume can be measured during each heart beat. "It is based on the

determination of optical properties of vascular tissue using a light source and a

photodetector (PD)" [2]. In contrast to oximetry, only one led light is used to

transmit light in PPG. As the light is emitted, blood levels and tissues absorb various

amounts of the light, causing different detections sensed from a photodetector.

5


There are 2 different types of detection modes using the photodetector:

transmission and reflection. Transmission mode occurs when the led source is

transmitted through the skin and a detection occurs on the other side of the skin.

This method can only be done through areas of the body thin enough for the

photodetector to read a measurable signal. For example, possible implementations

can be done through any finger, earlobes, and the toes. The second mode,

reflection, occurs when both the led and photodetector are on the same side of the

skin. As the led emits light, the backscattered optical radiation from the blood

pulsations is detected and measured. Whether the 2 components are placed across

from each other through the skin or in parallel to each other on the same side of the

skin, the photodetector measures the variations in blood pulsations and outputs a

current that is then amplified, filtered, and outputted as a voltage for further

analysis. Typical waveforms from a PPG can be seen in Figure 3.

Figure 3: PPG Signal, Kirk Shelly, Yale Medical School

6


Requirements

Desired implementation for the closed loop system requires full functionality

of all different stages of the design. The heart rate monitoring system is composed

of 4 different stages: User heart rate signal, Comparison to nominal heart rate,

Frequency setting, and Audible output. The completion of the closed loop implies

that the user can correctly listen and correspond to the audible output stage, hence

adjusting their own heart rate, which feeds back into the front end of the system

(User Heart Rate Signal Stage). Listed below are requirements for each of the 4

stages as well as a block diagram of the complete closed-loop system.

User Heart Rate Signal

The first stage, User heart rate signal, acts as the front end circuitry for the

whole system. The purpose of this initial stage interacts the led and photodiode with

the human blood pulsations through the skin. Desired outputs are a visible

waveform of the blood volumes as well as a measurable frequency of the heart rate.

The stage consists of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA), DC biasing filter, bandpass

filter, and a comparator.

Comparison to Nominal Heart Rate

The second stage, Comparison to nominal heart rate, reads in the user's

heart rate and tries to compare it to a desired heart rate. This desired heart rate

depicts that of the average heart rate a person should be exercising at. This heart

7


rate may change according to the age, weight, gender, and physical activeness of the

user. Implementation of this feature allows the desired heart rate to be changed at a

later time depending on the person using the device. The comparison stage

attempts to lock the frequency of the heart with the frequency of the desired heart

rate and will produce a high or low voltage output depending on which heart rate is

lagging the other. A high output voltage infers that the user's heart rate is quicker

than the desired heart rate. Contrastingly, a low output voltage depicts that the

user's heart rate is slower.

Frequency Setting

The third stage, frequency setting, sets the desired beat of the user to run at.

This stage averages the high and low values of the previous stage and creates an

average voltage used to determine that both input heart rates are the same. As data

from the previous stage is constantly being monitored, this voltage will then either

rise or descend. A slowly changing voltage allows for setting of a voltage controlled

oscillator at specific frequencies. Components of this stage include an RC circuit, a

VCO, and a Binary Counter that acts as a frequency divider, producing a slow

frequency that corresponds to the necessary beats that the user will run to.

Audible Output

The final stage of the design, Audible Output, converts the inquired beat that

the user should run at and produces an audio signal that can be heard through

8


headphones. The output signal will represent a simple beat and rhythm that the user

should follow; if done correctly, the user will complete the closed-loop system and

his or her heart rate will adjust the speed of the beat heard from the audible output.

This final stage consists of a 555 timer.

9


Block Diagram of Heart Rate Monitoring Control System

Figure 4: Block Diagram Closed Loop System

10


Design

Milestones for the heart rate monitoring system was split into two different

sections. The first section included research and front end design while the second

half involved the back end design and completion of the closed loop system.

Research of LEDs and Photodiodes

Prior to designing the internal circuitry of the closed loop system, research

on various leds and photodiodes were done in order pick the appropriate

components corresponding to the functionality of PPG theory. Shown below in Table

1 is a list of LEDs previously used for both oximetry and PPG devices and projects.

LED Wavelength Source/Datasheet Notes

Red 660nm Nonin Medical 0.8mW max avg (only specs listed)

IR 910nm Nonin Medical 1.2mW max avg

IR 940nm http://tinkerish.com/blog/?p=166 Sparkfun

Independent Project

Red 660nm http://tinkerish.com/blog/?p=166 Sparkfun

Independent Project

Red 660nm Lab Manual, U of A 2002, Purdyelectronics

20 mA, 12degrees view angle, 37 cents, ultra bright

IR 940nm Lab Manual, U of A 2002, Radioshack

940 nm, 20 mA, 1.3 VDC, $1.79, Radioshack high output IR LED

IR 880nm Lab Manual, U of A 2002 Fairchild, 100mA, 1.7V

http://www.nonin.com/documents/go2/6961-000-01%20GO2%20Spec%20Sheet.pdf

http://www.nonin.com/documents/go2/6961-000-01%20GO2%20Spec%20Sheet.pdf

http://tinkerish.com/blog/?p=166

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9349

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/533

http://www2.engr.arizona.edu/~bme517/supporting%20documents/PulseOximeter/Pulse%20Oxi%20Meter%20Laboratory.htm

http://www.purdyelectronics.com/pdf/AND180CRP.pdf


http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062565


11


Red 660nm Pulse Oxim Project Report Digikey

LTL-4266N, 100mW Pdiss

IR 940nm Pulse Oxim Project Report Digikey

LTE-4206, 90mW Pdiss

Table 1: LED Parts

Further research indicated that for proper PPG functionality, any red LED

with wavelength in the range of 890 - 960 nm can be used in the design.

Corresponding photodiodes are found to be specific to the selection of the LED used.

The proposed LED and photodiode for this design includes a GL4800E0000F from

Sharp and PDB-C170 from Advanced Photonix, Inc. Component selection for the LED

was determined using the parameters of a low power dissipation, 20mA output

current, and ~950nm peak wavelength. The corresponding photodiode chosen had

characteristics in which a spectral sensitivity peaking around ~950 nm.

Due to the application of the heart rate monitoring device, designs for each

section uses a maximum of a 3V supply voltage so that a 3V lithium ion battery can

be used for the end product. Using a 3V supply, the led was powered in series with a

resistor so that current flow will not burn on the led. With a ~1.2 V drop across the

LED (GL4800E0000F) given from the datasheet, a 90 Ω resistor was calculated using

Ohm's Law (V = IR). Figure 5 depicts the schematic used to implement the LED used

for this design.

http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-042408-101301/unrestricted/WPO_MQP-Final_04242008.pdf

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/682154-led-3mm-algaas-red-clear-ltl-4266n.html

http://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-042408-101301/unrestricted/WPO_MQP-Final_04242008.pdf

http://parts.digikey.com/1/parts/946154-emitter-ir-3mm-940nm-clear-lte-4206.html

12


Figure 5: LED Circuit

Front End

Figure 6: Suggested Circuit for Front End Photoplethysmograph

13


Design for the Front End is proposed via the block diagram, courtesy of

Professor Vladimir Ph. D, in Figure 6. Component selections and numerical

implementations were designed for each of the 4 sections: Band-Limited

Transimpedance Amplifier, DC Biasing High-Pass, High Gain Bandpass Amplifier, and

Hysteretic Comparator.

The output produced from the photodiode is a small analog current value.

When placed through the transimpedance amplifier, the current is converted into a

voltage value with a gain depending on the feedback resistor. The resistor value is

chosen such that the TIA gain is as large as possible. The voltage drop caused by the

DC component of the photodetector output current limits this value. The capacitor

serves to bandwidth limit the signal, disregarding high frequency noises.

The output voltage from the TIA is then fed into the next stage, which acts as

a high pass filter and DC bias. The capacitor C2 removes DC signal and the highpass

filter is set to operate around the cardiac signal, .25 - .5 Hz. The two resistor values

serve to input bias the BP amplifier and reduce power dissipation of the filter. High

values serve to keep the capacitor value reasonable.

Once the signal is biased to 1.5V and DC components are filtered out, the

bandpass amplifier places bandwidth limitations onto the signal in order to acquire

the desired response. The lower cutoff is set around 0.5Hz while the upper cutoff is

14


set to around 5Hz. This range correlated to a human heart rate range that the circuit

acquires be between 30 beats per minutes (BPM) and 300 BPM.

Once the bandwidth limitations are placed on the AC signal, the hysteretic

comparator in the next stage produces a rail-to-rail rectangular waveform. The

active-high output will turn low once a heart beat is indicated and high once the

heart rate signal settles again. The frequency of the rectangular waveform responds

to the heart rate of the user. A Hysteresis of approximately 100-200mV is set to

account for the settling time and voltage differentials of the input signal. This

comparator will not trigger on slow varying waveforms such as minor fluctuations in

the blood levels being measured.

Calculations

Band-Limited High Resistance TIA

Figure 7: Band-Limited High Resistance TIA Circuit

15


As mentioned, the feedback resistance across the op-amp is tested and

determined via trial and error such that a reasonable and visible output can be seen

with the highest gain of the TIA possible. The value of 330kΩ was eventually chosen.

High-Pass +1.5 V Bias

Figure 8: High-Pass 1.5V Bias Circuit

The desired bias voltage at 1.5V forces two resistances of equal value to be

set for R2 from the equation 1.5 𝑉𝑉 = 3 𝑉𝑉 ∗ (𝑅𝑅/2𝑅𝑅) using the resistive divider

network. The value of R2 was picked to be 680kΩ. The chosen cutoff frequency was

chosen around .4 Hz. Setting the equation for the cutoff frequency 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 12𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑅𝑅𝑝𝑝

with R

being the parallel combination of the R2 values (680k // 680k = 340kΩ). Solving for

the capacitance value, a nominal value of 1.2uF closest to the calculated value 1.17

uF was picked.

High-Gain Band-Pass Amplifier

16


Figure 9:High-Gain Band-Pass Amplifier Circuit

This band-pass consists of 2 calculations determines using the high-pass

cutoff and the low-pass cutoff frequencies. For the high-pass stage, a frequency of

.5Hz was chosen. Using the same formula as in the previous stage and an arbitrarily

picked value of 5.6kΩ for resistor R3, 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 12𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑅𝑅𝑝𝑝

, the calculated value of C3 resulted

in 47 uF. Similarly, for the low-pass stage, the cutoff frequency of 5Hz was chosen as

well as a resistor of 560kΩ which would result in a gain of 100 V/V. The capacitance

C4 was calculated around 56nF.

Hysteretic Comparator

Figure 10: Hysteretic Comparator Circuit

17


The low-pass, again was calculated using a cutoff frequency of around .4 Hz.

Using the similar methods shown above, the values concluded in R5 = 680kΩ and C5

= 47uF. The inquired hysteresis of 150mV was used in calculating the resistor values

for R6a and R6b. With a 3 volt rail output, the formula 150𝑚𝑚𝑉𝑉 = 𝑅𝑅6𝑎𝑎𝑅𝑅6𝑎𝑎+𝑅𝑅6𝑏𝑏

∗ 3𝑉𝑉.

gave a relationship of R6b = 39* R6a. R6a was chosen arbitrarily at 10kΩ while R6b

was 390kΩ.

Back-End

The main purpose of the back-end of the device is to complete the closed

loop system by comparing the user heart rate with nominal heart rates and output

an audible signal to the ear. This requires the use of 5 different stages: Frequency

Phase Detector, RC Circuit to hold VCO, VCO, Frequency Divider, and 555 Timer. The

output of the 555 timer sets the frequency and sound of the beats that the user will

hear through the headphones. If the user runs or bikes according to the beat, his or

her heart rate will adjust accordingly, closing the control system.

18


Back End Block Diagram

Figure 11: Back End Block Diagram

19


Frequency Phase Detector, RC Circuit, and VCO

Figure 12: PLL CD74HC4046 Block Diagram [10]

The chip used in designing the next 3 stages come from Texas Instruments

"High-Speed CMOS Logic Phase-Locked Loop with VCO", part number

CD74HC4046A. This chip was one of the most vital parts of the design since it

consisted of reading in the user's frequency, setting a frequency to compare it to,

controlling the voltage to tune the VCO, and outputting a different frequency with

the VCO.

Since there were 3 different phase comparator outputs from the chip,

research concluded in picking the output PC2 for the output of the phase

20


comparator. PC2 output can show 3 different outputs, depending on the comparison

between the 2 input frequencies. If the SIGin frequency is higher than that of

COMPin, then PC2 outputs a high, rail voltage. If the SIGin frequency is lower than

that of COMPin, then PC2 outputs a low, ground state. When equal, the phase

comparator acts as a high impedance state and hovers around a single voltage level.

Figure 13: Phase Comparator PC2 Waveform for CDCD54HC4046 [10]

As for the RC circuit entering the VCO, values in the uF and 500kΩ range

were used in order for a slow varying voltage charge and discharge. Operating

voltage range that the circuit is designed for is from 0 to 3 Volts. As the user heart

rate frequency (COMPin) runs faster than the known frequency (SIGin), PC2out's

high voltage charges the RC circuit. As the user heart rate frequency becomes slower

than that of the known frequency, then PC2out acts as a ground for the RC circuit to

discharge its voltage. A comparison of the same frequency should represent the

high-impedance state that allows the RC circuit to maintain a constant voltage.

21


Values of the RC circuit were R = 560k and C = 47uF. These values are chosen

experimentally.

Characteristics of the Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) are adjustable in

the CD74HC4046A depending on different Resistor and Capacitor values placed

between certain pins. According to the datasheet from Texas Instruments, the VCO

output frequency can range from 10Hz to 25MHz. The desired frequency of

operation for this design was chosen around 10Hz - 40 Hz. The input voltage range

for the VCO, assuming a 3V supply, operates from 1V to 2.8V, given a C1 of 0.1 uF

and R1 of 1.5MΩ.

Figure 14: Typical VCO Frequency [10]

22


Frequency Divider

Since the beat for a runner to take a step happens lower than the output

frequency of the VCO, the frequency must be divided. Using TI's SN74HC393N,

desired frequencies from the VCO can be divided down into factors of 2. The chip

includes 2 independent 4-bit binary counters. Each counter includes 4 flip flops,

shown below in Figure 15. The desired output signal was chosen to be read off of

the 5th bit, indicating a divide by 25, or 32. Implementation of this required tying the

first 4-bit binary counter to the second, continuing the divide sequence.

Figure 15: Logic Diagram 4-bit Binary Counter [11]

23


555 Timer

The 555 timer works as a relaxation oscillator that provides the output for

the audio signal. Since the output of the Binary Counter is sent to the reset pin of

the 555 timer, the timer will only turn on during high signals of the counter. Using an

LM556CN chip, design for the oscillator requires tying TRIGGER and THRESHOLD pins

together, allowing for hysteresis. The values of C, RA, RB, and RL are chosen to give a

1kHz signal output with a duty cycle of 66%.

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 + 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = (𝑅𝑅𝑎𝑎+ 2𝑅𝑅𝑏𝑏)𝑝𝑝 ∗ ln(2) ---> Relationship between

oscillation period and RC values

𝐷𝐷% = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇

∗ 100 = 𝑅𝑅𝑎𝑎+𝑅𝑅𝑏𝑏𝑅𝑅𝑎𝑎+2𝑅𝑅𝑏𝑏

∗ 100 ---> Relationship between Duty cycle and

Oscillation Period.

Values: Ra = Rb = 5kΩ, C = 100nF, RL = 1kΩ.

Figure 16: 555 Timer

24


Closing The Loop

The output of the 555 timer can then be sent into the input of an earphone

jack, sending signals that will represent the beats of a runner or pedals of a bicyclist.

If the user adjusts correctly to his beats, the system will become a biological closed

loop. The body will react to the heart rate and the exercise will automatically adjust

to the desired heart rate over time. As long as the user is able to exercise

accordingly, the system will operate correctly.

25


Test Plans and Construction

The design process for the closed loop system in regards to testing and

construction was subdivided into each stage of the system, starting from the initial

stage with the IR LED. Prior to adding on the next stage of the design, testing for the

desired functionality of the specific stage was done first using various equipments

such as the HP E3640A DC Power Supply, Agilient 34401A Digit Multimeter, Agilent

33120A Waveform generator, and Agilent 54622 Oscilloscope, all provided by Cal

Poly San Luis Obispo EE Department. The testing procedure starts from the

beginning and builds upon itself up until the process is completed with the correct

audible signal that can be heard through the ears.

Most circuitry calculations were done with the amplifiers in the front end.

Below shows a spice simulation verifying operation of the High-Gain Bandpass

Amplifier using Texas Instrument's TINA -TI Simulation Software.

Figure 17: High Gain BP Amplifier Spice Schematic

J1

+

-

+

U2 OPA378

R4 560k

C2 56n

R5

5.6k

C3

47u

VF1

+ VG1

26


The bandwidth of the circuit, shown below in the frequency response, has a

range from .5 Hz up to 5Hz.

Figure 18: High Gain BP Amplifier Frequency Response

Construction of the design began with placing the components for the front

end on a breadboard and getting a measurable reading from the output of the

comparator. Testing the front end on the breadboard gave the ability to measure

various signals pertinent to the design. The actual analog signal of the heart

response to the IR led was examined to confirm a readable heart rate as well as the

output of the comparator to confirm the frequency of the heart rate.

T

Gai

n (d

B)

0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

Frequency (Hz)1m 10m 100m 1 10 100 1k

Pha

se [d

eg]

-80.00-60.00-40.00-20.00

0.0020.0040.0060.0080.00

27


Figure 19: Front End Construction

The front end was then transferred to a perforated board to compact and

reduce the size of the circuitry. With all of the components firmly placed on the

board, testing for signals can be measured more consistently.

28


Figure 20: Perforated Board design of front end

Testing and construction for the back end is then done on the breadboard,

while it interfaces with the hysteretic output of the front end. Future development

would integrate all breadboard designs onto the perforated board, followed by a

PCB layout.

29


Figure 21: Back End Bread Board Construction

30


Integration and Test Results

Photoplethysmograph Front End Circuit

The PPG front end must be tested without the comparator circuit in order to

assure proper amplification of the PPG signal and blocking of the signals large DC

component. Power was supplied via a Agilent dual variable tracking power supply,

set to 3V single rail. This also powered the IR LED. The power supply displays the

current being using by the circuit which was around 20 mA. This 20 mA only came

from powering the IR LED, and the total current consumption of the amplifying

circuits was in the uA region. This was expected as the OPA378 is a very low power

op amp.

Placement of the Photodiode and IR LED on the finger is the most critical part

in getting a proper heart signal. The first tests were done using the transmission

method, with the photodiode on the fingernail and the IR LED on the bottom of the

finger. Lining up these parts is key to getting a decent sized signal this way. The

transmission method as well as the output waveforms can be seen below. The size

of the waveforms vary as seen between test measurements.

31


Figure 22: PPG Transmission Method

Figure 23: Wes Nguyen - Transmission method

Figure 24: Ryan Horjus - Transmission Method

32


Figure 25: Prof. Prodanov - Transmission Method

The more consistent method was determined to be reflective measurement.

In this method the photodiode and IR LED are placed on the same surface of skin

and angled slightly toward each other. The Light from the LED then bounced of the

pulsating blood vessels and into the photodiode. The apparatus for this chosen

method is shown below in Figure 26. The consistency of these signals can be shown

in the comparison between Figure 28 and 29, ignoring the 60hz external light

component.

Figure 26: PPG Reflective Method

33


Figure 27: PPG Reflective Method 2

The PPG front end must then be tested with the comparator circuit in place

to assure that a proper square wave signal is created for use with the

phase/frequency detector. Scope probes are hooked up at the output of the band

pass amplifier and at the comparators output. The output can be seen in figure 28

below.

34


Figure 28: PPG Signal and Comparator Output (60Hz)

There is a 60hz component in the waveform that caused the comparator

circuit to over trigger during a heartbeat. The 60hz component can also be seen in

the PPG signal as what looks like noise. This was caused by our lack of dark shielding

around the finger to block the ambient lighting in the room. Once a dark covering is

placed over the finger measurement area the 60hz component went away at a clean

trigger edge was obtained, as seen in Figure 29. Another comparison of the signal

taken with reflection method and dark covering can also be seen in Figure 30.

35


Figure 29: PPG signal and Comparator Output (NO 60hz)

)

Figure 30: PPG and Comparator (no 60hz)

36


Control Circuit (Pacer)

Testing is required on the control circuit to ensure that the system adjusts its

beat frequency according to the differences between the heart rate waveform and

the reference waveform. Once the circuit is set up two waveforms are sent into the

phase detector; one in the Sig in and the other in the comp in. The comp in

waveform is a variable waveform, while the sig in waveform is a fixed frequency (10

Hz is used in testing). The comp in waveform frequency is then set by the Agilent

function generator two sweep between 5 and 15 Hz over a period of 30 seconds.

The result is shown below in figure 31.

Figure 31: Phase detector output with varying Comp in signal

37


The triangle shaped waveform is the varying voltage held at the capacitor which

feeds the VCO. This is the major section of controlling the beat frequency.

The next step is to measure the VCO frequency and observe the output of

the clock divider. This is done by putting a fixed voltage on the VCO input and

feeding the VCO output into the Clock1 pin of the binary counter. Scope probes are

used to observe the VCO output and clock divider output. This is seen in figure 32.

Figure 32: VCO and clock divider waveforms

The final test on the different components of the control circuit is to observe

the 555 timer turning on and off with the high and low of the clock divider. Keeping

the circuit that produced Figure 32 and connecting the output of the clock divider to

38


the reset pin of the 555 will produce a 1 kHz frequency when the clock signal is high,

and turn off the 555 oscillation when the clock signal is low.

Complete System Test

The complete system is tested by hooking the front end PPG circuit into the

comp in of the back end control circuit. A comparison waveform, used to simulate

desired heart rate, is fed into the Sig in pin of the phase/frequency detector.

Observing the output of the 555 timer with a scope or using a speaker to hear the

beat should then tell you how fast or slow you must be moving to keep your heart

rate with the ideal comparison. The circuit does adjust its beat frequency based on

the heart rate going faster or slower than the comparison frequency, but the loop is

not as stable as it should be. More analysis needs to be taken on the hearts time

constants, that is how fast or how slow the heart can change is BPM. In theory the

circuit completely makes sense, and will work with some minor changes (this is to be

addressed in later iterations of the device, see improvements section).

39


Conclusion and Improvements

Improvements

There are a few changes that must be taken into consideration for the next

iteration of the closed loop heart rate system. On the output of the

phase/frequency, the voltage needs to have a lower bound of 1 volt. This mean that

the voltage going into the VCO must never drop below 1 volt. When the voltage

drops below 1 volt, the VCO ceases to oscillate. A biasing circuit must be designed in

order to prevent the voltage from dropping below 1 volt.

A microcontroller could also be integrated into the system in order to clean

up the heart rate pulse waveform and make it more consistent with the current BPM

that the heart is at. This microcontroller could also provide the proper delay in the

system in order to give the heart a chance to keep up with the changing beat

speeds. This advancement would be very important to the device becoming a

finished product.

The desired frequency of the user heart rates were implemented using the

function generator. Furthering the design process of the system would include

designing an oscillator that met the requirements of the desired frequencies to

match the heart rates with.

40


Conclusion

The overall hardware design of our circuit is mainly a proof of concept of

being able to control a beating heart. Although the system may not fully function as

anticipated, with a few added changes to the system, it could be fully functional.

Testing and Integration proved the functionality of all desired stages, albeit their

inconsistencies when placed together as a whole system. Audio signals are

successfully heard from the headphones, however testing for a fully functional

system required the use of implementing the design onto a single piece that can be

carried around. The next stage of the design process would include manufacturing

the components onto a PCB and powering the components using a 3V lithium ion

battery. Since the circuit has been designed to run off of a 3V supply from the start,

the next stage will be easily implementable.

41


References

[1] Kastle S, Noller F, Falk S, Bukta A, Mayer E, Miller D. A new family of sensors

for pulse oximetry. Hewlett-Packard Journal1997;48:39–53.

[2] Stojanovic R., Karadaglic D. A LED–LED-based photoplethysmography sensor.

Physiol. Meas.– 2007. – Vol. 28, No. 6 – P. 19-27.

[3] Townsend, Dr. Neil, Pulse Oximetry. Medical Electronics. MichaelmasTerm2001.

P. 32 - 42.

[4] Harrison, D. W., & Isaac, W. (1984). A variable-threshold, variable-gain, infrared

photoplethysmograph. Journal o f Behavioral Assessment, 6(2), 155-157

[5] L. Wang, B. Lo, and G. Yang, “Re flective photoplethysmograph earpiece sensor

for ubiquitous heart rate monitoring,” in Proc. 4th Int. Workshop Wearable

Implantable Body Sens. Netw. (BSN2007), ser. IFMBE Proc., S. Leonhardt, T. Falck,

and P. M¨ah¨onen, Eds., Aachen, Germany, Mar. 2007, vol. 13, pp. 189–194

[6] Burke M J and Whelan M V 1986 Photoplethysmography—selecting

optoelectronic components Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 24 647–50

[7] A. Wong, K. P. Pun, and Y. Z. Zhang, “A near-Infrared heart rate measurement IC

with very low cutoff frequency using current steering technique,” IEEE Trans. Circuits

Syst. I, Reg. Papers, vol. 52, no. 12, pp. 2642–2647, Dec. 2005

42


[8] Cornell University. BioNB 442: Lab 9 Finger Plethysmograph [online]. Available:

http://courses.cit.cornell.edu/bionb442/labs/f2007/lab9.html

[9] Texas Instruments, Low-Noise, 900kHz, RRIO, Precision OPERATIONAL AMPLIFIER

Zerø-Drift Series, SBOS417D – JANUARY 2008–REVISED OCTOBER 2009

[10] Texas Instruments, High-Speed CMOS Logic Phase-Locked Loop with VCO,

SCHS204J - February 1998 - Revised December 2003

[11] Texas Instruments, SN54HC393, SN74HC393 Dual 4-Bit Binary Counters,

SCLS143D – December 1982 – Revised July2003

heart-rate monitoring control system using photoplethysmography (

Documents

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